Possible Resurgence of U.S. Manufacturing Jobs

Executives and others weigh in on the future of manufacturing in the U.S.

Press Release Service – Wired PR News – Hurt by numerous factory closings across the country, the U.S. may see a substantial increase in manufacturing jobs in higher skill arenas such as clean energy and health care. As reported by BusinessWeek, General Electric Chief Executive Jeffrey Immelt gave a speech in June regarding a goal to help rebuild the nation’s industrial base.

Immelt is quoted in the report as stating to the Detroit Economic Club, “We should set a goal to have manufacturing jobs be no less than 20 percent of total employment, about twice what it is today… This is a national imperative.”

While some remain skeptical of the goal being possible in the current economy, some suggest the decisions of many companies choosing to bring production back to the United States, may make it a realistic possibility. Wright President and CEO Barbara Roberts is quoted by BusinessWeek as stating, “Higher transportation costs and rising wages in China are making it more cost-effective for some to manufacture here. Two, in particular, were having significant quality issues.”

San Diego consultant Richard Sinkin is further quoted as stating, “Companies these days want to keep their inventories lean, and they can’t afford to let product sit for 30 days on a boat from China… People used to talk about just-in-time manufacturing, but now we have just-in-time retailing and that changes the dynamics incredibly.”